Stenciling apparatus



Aug. 16,1938. R. G. MARTIN T 2,127,128

' STENCILING APPARATUS Filed May 10', 1937 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 IQN VENTOR R. G.Martz'n,

Aug. 16, 1938. R. G. MARTIN 2,127,123

-STENCILING APPARATUS Filed May 10-, 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 I 11v VENTOR R. G.Mart z'n,

ATT I NEKS UNITED STATES "PATEN OFFICE STENCILING APPARATUS Raymond G. Martin, -Washingto n, Pa., assignor to Solar Laboratories, a corporation oi Pennsylvania Application May 10, 19318611311). 141,672

11 Claims.

The present invention relates to improvements in stenciling apparatus and more particularly to an apparatus which is primarily designed for commercial use in stencillng circular or substantially circular designs of vitreous enamel on the peripheral areas or regions of vitreous or ceramic articles such, for example, as plates, dishes, saucers and the like. The apparatus may, however, be employed in applying a circular design by a stenciling process to any article capable of receiving the same. The invention is concerned with stenciling apparatus of the type employlng a mesh screen,.portions of which are left open to form the design to be imparted to the articles, and in which a vitreous enamel preparation is poured upon the screen and uniformly spread over and forced through the open portions of the screen and onto the articles by a rubber squeegee.

The principal object of the invention is to provide an apparatus for stenciling which will eflectively apply to the articles being treated a continuous closed design in such a manner as to leave no trace of overlap in the design, yet which will insure a closed design having no gap apparent therein.

It is another object of the invention to provide a stenciling machine of the type set forth above which is designed for stenciling the peripheral areas of plates, dishes, saucers and the like, in

which there is incorporated a novel means for supporting the articles to be decorated in rolling line contact with the stencil screen.

Other objects of the invention will become more readily apparent hereinafter.

In the accompanying drawings:

Fig. l is a longitudinal vertical sectional view taken substantially centrally through an apparatus manufactured in accordance with the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view taken through a portion of the apparatus showing a modified form of article support;

Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the apparatus;

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 44 of Fig. 1; and

Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 5-5 of Fig. 3.

The stenciling apparatus is in the form of a machine involving in its general organization a support or table Ill provided with front and rear supporting legs II and i2 respectively. Bolted or otherwise secured to the upper surface of the table II! are a pair of standards N which serve to support between their upper ends a horizontal rock-shaft I4 which is journalled at its ends in bearings l5.

The rock shaft l4 extends across the rear edge of the table in, is substantially coextensive therewith, and rockably supports the inner or rear end of a stencil screen assembly l6.

A forwardly extending squeegee assembly I! is similarly supported upon the rock-shaft H. The assemblies I6 and I1 overlie the table ID.

The stencil screen assembly (Figs. 1 and 3) consists of a triangular plate l8 having integral aligned sleeves l9 formed thereon through which the rock-shaft l4 extends. The plate is centered upon the rock-shaft M by means of collars 20 mounted on the rock-shaft outside of and abutting the sleeves IS. The plate I8 is provided with a forwardly extending supporting arm 2! from which there depends adjacent its free end a pivot pin 22, the lower endof which serves to support thereon, by means of anti-friction bearings 29, a central hub member 39 in the form of a circular ring, and in which ring the bearing 25' is fitted. The hub member 39 is nested within an inner ring 68 or collar of a stencil screen unit 24. The hub member 39 and ring 68 are maintained in position, one within the other, by means of acircular face plate 69 which is secured to the upper surfaces of these two members.

The stencil screen unit 24 also includes an outer ring 25 which is concentric with the inner ring 68 and is connected thereto by means of a single radial arm or spoke 26 integrally formed on the face plate 69. A ring-like operating wheel .21 encircling and concentric with the stencil screen unit 24 is maintained in spaced relation to the screen ring 25 by spokes 28. A silk stencil screen S or other conventional screen having impervious portions and pervious portions, the latter representing the design to be stenciled on the articles, extends across the opening existing between the inner ring 68 and outer ring 25 and is secured to both of these members in any suitable manner as, for example, by gluing. The level of the inner ring 68 is slightly below the level of the outer ring 25. Thus the stencil screen assumes an obtuse Ill taper or frusto-conical form which is designed to tending bracket 30 is secured to a cross bar 3i which extends across the standards l3 and is provided at its forward end with a downwardly turned arcuate plate 32 having a slot 33 formed therein. A pair of limit stops 34 in the form of nut and bolt assemblies are adjustably mounted on the plate 32 and are slidable laterally of the apparatus in the slot 33. A pair of circumferentially adjustable abutments 35 in the form of nut and bolt assemblies are adjustably secured in slots 36 formed in the operating wheel 21 and their relative positions on the wheel 21 are determined by the character of the articles undergoing decoration and in a manner presently to be described. The limit stops 34 are positioned in the path of movement of the abutments 35 and are designed to be engaged thereby to limit the amplitude. of the oscillation of the stencil screen unit 24.

In order to adjust the level of the stencil screen unit 24, an adjusting screw 31 extends through a forward extension 85 of the cross bar 3| and engages the underneath side of a limit stop 38 mounted on the underneath side of the plate l6. By turning the adjusting screw 31 in one direction or the other, the entire screen unit 24 will be elevated or lowered as the case may be.

The squeegee assembly |1 consists of a triangular plate 40 having integral aligned sleeves 4| formed thereon through which sleeves the rock-shaft |4 extends. The plate 40 overlies the plate I8 and is centered upon the rock-shaft l4 by means of collars 42 mounted on the rock-shaft inside of the sleeves 4|. The plate 40 is provided with a forwardly extending arm 43 having a longitudinal slot 44 formed therein. An adjusting screw 45 extends through the end of the arm 43 and projects into the slot 44. A squeegee supporting rod 46 is provided with a squared end 86 that is adjustably mounted in the slot 44 by means of a clamping nut 41. The end of the adjusting screw 45 projects into, and is rotatably secured in, the squared end 86 or the rod 46 adjacent the top thereof, by means of a pin and,

groove connection 48. Thus it will be seen that ,the longitudinal position of the squeegee supporting rod 46 may be adjusted by loosening the nut 41 and turning the adjusting screw 45 in one direction or the other, while at the same time turning of the rod 46 in any adjusted position thereof is prevented.

Suspended from a bracket 49 carried by the lower end of the squeegee supporting rod 46 is a squeegee S which is capable of angular adjustment in the bracket 49 by means of a clamping nut and bolt assembly 50.

"The squeegee S is designed to sweep the peripheral regions of the stencil screen S and in order to adjust the squeegee S to the stencil screen S and obtain the proper degree of pressure thereon, an adjusting screw 5| passing through the plate 46 of the squeegee assembly |1 engages the arm 2| of the stencil screen assembly |6.

The squeegee assembly I1 is capable of being elevated by the operator in a manner subsequently to be described,to cause the squeegee S to clear the screen S. Toward this end, a series of counterweights 55 suspended from a short arm 56 formed on one of the sleeves it! provides a counterbalance for the entire stencil screen assembly l6. A similar series of counterweights 51 suspended from a short arm 58 formed on one of the sleeves 4|, provides a counterbalance for the entire squeegee assembly H. A treadle mechanism (not shown) which projects forwardly of the machine adjacent the bottom thereof in a convenient position for the operator of the machine, operates through a link 59 attached to a short arm 66 formed on the other sleeve 4| to swing the two assemblies l6 and i1 upwardly about the axis of the rock-shaft |4 when depressed by the foot of the operator. In order to return the squeegee S to its normal screen-engaging position, a coil spring 52, centered upon a pin 53 carried by the arm 2| and passing through the plate 4|), bears against the plate 40 at one end thereof and against a wing nut 54 at the other end thereof. Adjustment of the wing nut 54 will lessen or increase the pressure applied by the squeegee blade 15 upon the screen S.

In the present instance, two forms of article supporting structures are disclosed, either one being suitable for rotatably supporting an article P (which may be a plate or the like) in such a manner that its peripheral regions make tangential rolling line contact with the underneath surface of the stencil screen S.

In Fig. 1, the supporting means for the articles P comprises a plurality of supports 66, 6| and 62 which extend through and are horizontally and vertically adjustable in a plurality of radial slots 63 formed in the table portion ID of the apparatus. The upper ends of the supports 60 have yokes 64- formed thereon. The supports 60 and 6|, together with the yokes 64 thereof, are identical in construction and each yoke serves to pivotally support a bracket 65 upon which there is rotatably mounted a grooved wheel or roller 66 adapted to engage the extreme rim of the article P undergoing decoration and rotatably support the same. The rollers 66 are normally urged inwardly of the plate P toward a common center by means of coil springs 61 which are anchored at their lower ends to plates 10 which are secured in position on the table In by means of nuts 81 mounted on the supports 60 and 6|, and at their upper ends to extensions 1| formed on the brackets 65. The yoke 64 of the support 62 is in the form of a clamping yoke and serves to adjustably support therein a roller support 12 which carries at its outer end a flanged roller 13 adapted to adjustably support thereon the periphery or rim of the article undergoing decoration. It is to be noted that the elevation of the rollers 66 and 13 in the apparatus is calculated so that the plates supported therebetween occupy an inclined position with the peripheral regions or rim portions thereof in tangential rolling line contact with the underneath surface of the screen.

In Fig. 2, the supporting structure for the article P consists of an article-supporting chuck 15 which is rotatably mounted by means of antiiriction bearings 16 upon the upper end of a short chuck supporting stem 11 which is mounted for angular adjustment upon a bracket 18. The bracket 16 is supported upon the table portion ill of the apparatus and the position thereof may be adjusted longitudinally of the table ID by means of clamping nut and bolt assemblies 19 that extend through the bracket 18 and through a slot provided in the table. The chuck is provided with a plate receiving recess 8| in the face thereof to accommodate the base of the plate or other article under-. goingdecoration. Not only is the inclination of the chuck 15 adjustable to adapt the peripheral regions of the article to the stencil screen in the manner previously described, but, in addition,

the chuck 15 is removable from the bracket 18 for the purpose of interchangeability to permit chucks of different sizes 'to be installed in the apparatus.

In the operation of the apparatus, the proper adjustment of the article supporting assembly shown in Fig. 1 or of the assembly shown in Fig. 2, as the case may be, is made so that the article is brought into register with the stencil screen S with the peripheral rim portion thereof in tangential rolling line contact with the underneath surface of the screen. The screen S is so designed that the arcuate extent of the pervious portion thereof which represents the design to be applied to the articles, is equal to the circumference of the closed design when applied to the rim portion of the articles. The circumferential positions of the abutments 35 are calculated so that the amplitude of oscillation of the stencil screen unit 24 from one extreme position thereof to the other extreme position thereof, will carry the pervious portion of the screen into contact with the rim portion of the 'article throughout its entire length, no more S, being in contact with the screen S, sweeps the pervious portion or design of the screen and forces a portion of the enamel through the screen and onto the rim portion of the article. After the design has thus been applied to the article in this manner, the operator depresses the foot treadle mechanism which, through the medium of the link 59,. tilts the entiresqueegee Lil assembly I! about the axis of the rock-shaft i4 and elevates the same. Upon such elevation of the squeegee assembly H, the coil spring 52 is compressed and the squeegee is caused to clear the stencil screen and enamel thereon. Movement of the. squeegee assembly upwardly beyond the limit of compression of the spring 52 serves to carry the stencil screen assembly I6 upwardly in order that the operator may have access to the decorated article P and substitute an undecorated article in its stead. Upon release of pressure upon the foot treadle mechanism, the stencil screen and squeegee assemblies It and H are lowered into operative decorating position with the squeegee in contact with the stencil screen S and with the screen intangential rolling line contact with the peripheral regions of the substituted undecorated article P. The screen unit 24 is oscillated in the reverse direction and the stenciling operation is repeated.

Modifications may be resorted to within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a stenciling apparatus, a stencil screen provided with a generally arcuate pervious portion extending around a portion of the periphery thereof and representing a closed design to be applied to the peripheral rim portion of a saucer-like article, the extent or length of said arcuate pervious portion being equal to the circumference of the closed design, a squeegee for said screen, and means for supporting said screen and an article to be decorated with the screen and peripheral rim portion of the article in rolling line contact.

2. In a stenciling apparatus, a stencil screen provided with a generally arcuate pervious portion extending around a portion of the periphery thereof and representing a closed design to be applied to the peripheral rim portion of a saucer-like article, the extent or length of said arcuate pervious portion being equal to the circumference of the closed design, means for supporting an article to be decorated for revolution about its axis, means for supporting said screen for revolution about its central axis with the article and screen in rolling line contact with each other, and means for forcing coloring material through said screen upon oscillation of the same.

3. In a stenciling apparatus, a stencil screen provided with a generally arcuate pervious portion extending around a portion of the periphery thereof and representing a closed design to be applied to the peripheral rim portion of a saucer-like article, the mean extent of said arcuate pervious portion being equal to the mean circumference of the closed design, said pervious portion of the screen being confined within an area of the screen which is a frustum of an obtuse cone of less angularity than the angu larity of the obtuse cone within the surface of which the peripheral rim portion of the article lies, means for supporting said screen for oscillation about its central axis, means for supporting said article for revolution about its axis with the frusto-conical peripheral rim portion thereof in rolling line contact with said screen, and means for applying decorating material through said screen and onto said peripheral rim portion.

4. In a stenciling apparatus, a stencil screen provided with a generally arcuate pervious portion extending around a portion of the periphery thereof and representing a closed design to be applied to the peripheral rim portion of a saucerlike article, the mean extent of said arcuate pervious portion being equal to the mean circumferaxis, means for supporting said article for rev0- lution about its axis with the frusto-conical peripheral rim portion thereof in rolling line contact with said screen, a squeegee in stationary contact with said screen for applying decorating material through said screen and onto said peripheral rim portion, and means for adjustably varying the amplitude of oscillation of said screen.

5. In a stenciling apparatus, a stencil screen provided with a generally arcuate pervious portion extending around a portion of the periphery thereof and representing a closed design to be applied to the peripheral rim portion of a saucerlike article, the mean extent of said arcuate pervious portion being equal to the main circumference of the closed design, said pervious portion of the screen being confined within an area of the screen which is a frustum of an obtuse cone of less angularity than the angularity of the obtuse cone Within the surface of which the peripheral rim portion of the article lies, means for supporting said screen for oscillation about its central axis, means for supporting said article for revolution about its axiswith the frusto-conical peripheral rim portion thereof in rolling line contact with said screen, a squeegee in stationary contact with said screen for applying decorating material through said screen and onto said peripheral rim portion, an actuating member surrounding said screen and substantially concentric therewith, and a pair of limit stops mounted for circumferential adjustment on said actuating member and designed to engage a stationary part of the apparatus to vary the amplitude of oscillation of said screen.

6. In an apparatus for applying a closed band of designs to the peripheral rim portions of plates, saucers and the like by a stenciling process, a

frusto-conical stencil screen having a generally tact with said rim portion of the article, and

means for applying coloring material through said pervious portion of the screen upon oscillation of the screen in either direction.

7. In an apparatus for stenciling continuous designs on plates and like articles, an article support comprising in combination a plurality of supporting rollers adapted to engage the rim of a plate to be decorated at spaced points therearound, one of said rollers having a cylindrical side upon which the margin of said plate is adapted to be supported and an annular flange against which said rim is adapted to bear, others of said rollers each being provided with a' peripheral groove in which said rim is adapted to ride, and means normally urging said other rollers inwardly of the plate and against said rim whereby said rim is normally urged into engagement with said flange on the first mentioned roller.

8. In an apparatus for stenciling continuous designs on the frusto-conical rim portions of saucerlike articles, a frusto-conical stencil screen, means for mounting saidscreen in tangential rolling line contact with the rim portion of an article to be decorated, and means for forcing coloring material through said screen andonto the rim portion of the article from the inside thereof.

9. In an apparatus for stenciling continuous designs on the frusto-conicai rim portions saucerlike articles, a frusto-conical stencil screen, means for mounting said screen in tangential rolling line contact with the rim portion of an article to be decorated, a stationary squeegee in contact with said screen along the line of contact between the article and screen, and means for limiting the extent to which said screen and article may roll upon each other.

10. In an apparatus for stenciling continuous designs on the irusto-conical rim portions of sauoer-like articles, a frusto-conical stencil screen, means formounting said screen in tangential rolling line contact with the rim portion of an article to be decorated, a stationary squeegee in contact with said screen along the line of contact between the article and screen, and means for adjustably regulating the extent to which said screen and article may roll upon each other.

11. In an apparatus for applying arcuate designs to saucer-like articles by a stenciling process, a stencil screen having a frusto-conical surface provided with a pervious portion representing the design to'be applied to an article, means for mounting said screen for oscillation about the axis of said frusto-conical portion thereof, means for mounting an article for rotation about its axis and in tangential rolling line contact with said frusto-conical portion of the screen, and.

means disposed within said frusto-conical portion of the screen for forcing coloring material through said pervious portion thereof and onto said article.

RAYMOND G. MARTIN. 

